Slack or cuttings removing attachment



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INIENTOR. 6410014 c/ fioemr/fafl ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1943.

' E. J. DOBERSTEIN SLACK OR QUTTINGS REMOVING ATTACHMENT Filed Nov. 19,1941 Dec. 7, 1943. E. J. DOBERSTEIN I 2,335,921v

SLACK OR CUTTINGS REMOVING ATTACHMENT I Filed NOV. 19, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

("iwa gd JDoers/a'n ATTORNEY E. J. DOBERSTE IN Dec. 7, 1943.

SLACK OR CUTTINGS REMOVING ATTACHMENT 3 Sheets-Sneet 3 Filed NOV. 19,1941 Patented Dec. 7, 1%43 SLACK-0R CUTTINGS REMOVING ATTACHNIENT EdwardJ. Doberstein, Blue Island, 111., assignor to, Goodman ManufacturingCompany, .Chicago,

111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 19, 1941,Serial'No. 419,690

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in slack or cuttings removingattachments for kerf-cutting machines of the room and pillar type, andhas as its principal objects to provide arelatively light cuttingsremoving device of .the class described, readily attachable to andadaptedto extend either rearwardly beyond or laterally from akerf-cutting machine of standard construction, together with a powerdrive connection from the machine when in either of these positions.

In coal cutting machines in use today, the. cutter bar lengths andfeeding speeds of themachines have been increased over those formerlyused, in order to increase thecapacity of the machine, with the resultthat the slack discharged by the cutter chain of the machine is morethan can be handled by a manshoveling by hand. While conveyers have beenprovided to discharge the cuttings to the rear of the machine, it hasbeen diificult to place the conveyor soit will efflciently collect theslack, and .the conveyer is of little or no use Where .roofconditionsare poor and it is necessary to post timbers close to the working face.In carrying out my invention, I remedy this difficulty by providing animproved form of cuttings passageway arranged to permit the cutter chainto readily propel the cuttings therealong in a confined path, to therear. end of the machine, and by providing a cuttings deflector arrangedto deflect thecuttings onto a cuttings discharge conveyer incuttings-receiving relation with respect to said deflector. ,I alsoarrange the cuttings discharge conveyer so it may extend. longitudinallyrearwardly from the machine, for discharging the. cuttings into afaceconveyer, if desired; or so it may extend laterally from the machine,where roof conditions arepoor and it is necessary to post props close tothe Working face. The arrangement is such that the conveyer may collectthe cuttings as efficiently when in one position as in the other.

Other objects of my invention will appear. from time to time as thefollowing specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary planview of a kerfcutting machine of the roomand pillar type, with a cuttings removal device constructed inaccordance with my invention attached thereto and shown as extendingrearwardly beyond the'rear end thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View inside elevation of the device shown inFigure 1, withcertain parts shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan View of the rear part of the machine, withcertainpartsremoved and showing the cuttings.removingdeyiceas, extendinglaterally from themachinafor discharging cuttings towards .theretreating,side,.,therepf;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view takensubstantially alongline die-i4 of Figure 1;

Figure'5 is an enlarged, fragmentaryitransverse sectional view takensubstantiallyalong 1i ne,;5;-; 5 of Figure ,1;

Figure 6 is :a detail view, showing certainqdetails of the means. forconnecting ,the cuttings removal conveyer to the machine;

Figure 7 is anenlargeddetail .viewcshowing certain details of the,driveto tthe cuttingsremoval conveyer;

Figure 8 is an enlarged ,detaillongitudinal sectional view, showingcertaindetails of the,drive to the cuttings removal conveyer; and

Figure 9 isan enlarged detail, fragmentary; plan view, showing thedriveto the cuttings removal conveyer in a different position thaningEigure 18.

Referring now to the details of .theembojdiment of my inventionillustrated in the drawings, aslack-removing conveyer generallyindicatedby reference character i ii is shown ,as. connected; to thedischarge end of a .kerf-cutting .machinegll of a well knownconstruction.andoperation. ,,S,'aid machine consists of a mainframelj2havinga cutter bar l3 projecting forwardly from the-forward endthereof.- Said cutter b'arhasa cutter chain 14 guided for.,orbitalmovement thereabout and operates in a channelformedjbetween the bottomof said main frame and the base plate [5. Said cutter chain is drivenfrom a Qutter chain drive sprocket l6, mounted .on the lowerend" of avertical shaft l'i','suitab1y. icurnaled insaid main frame, and drivenfrom a, motor. I'Bonsaid'main frame. The drive from said motor 'to ,saidsprocket includes aspurgear reduction I'9,,a.bevel pinion'ZO on alongitudinal shaft 2l, and,a;be vel gear 23 meshed with said pinion and,mounted c.0- axially with said vertical shaft.

A flexiblejfeeding means is provided formpving the machine about themine an'dsumpingthe cutter bar 13' and cutter chain'l' i,intojthegoalface and moving said barand chainthereacrgss. Said flexible feedingmeans may beofanguspal construction but, as herein shown, comprises; awinding drum 2 1 on the advancesideof ,the machine and having afiexible, ,ca.ble..25 adapted to be wound thereon and be, anchoredat, sJole points along the working face, to feed'theic ltie bar intov and.across the coal face.

Referring now in particular to the details of the slack removingconveyer l0, which forms the subject matter of the present invention,said conveyer consists of an elongated conveyer frame 29 of a generallytrough-like form and having a generally horizontal cuttings receivingportion 30 and an inclined elevating discharge portion 3| extendingrearwardly therefrom. The frame 29 carries a pair of endless conveyerchains 32, 32 with flights 33, 33 mounted therebetween, movable upwardlyalong a bottom plate 34 of said frame.

The horizontal cuttings receiving portion of said frame is detachablyconnected to the rear end of the machine so as to extend longitudinallyrearwardly therefrom, for discharging cuttings to the rear of themachine, or laterally from the machine for discharging cuttings beyondthe retreating side of the machine. A deflecting member 35 extendsacross the rear end of the base plate l5 and along one side of thereceiving portion of the cuttings collecting conveyer I0, and besidesforming a means for guiding and deflecting the cuttings onto two sidesof the receiving end of said conveyer, also forms a means for connectingone side of the conveyer to the machine. As herein shown, said cuttingsdeflecting member is of a substantially L-shaped formation, secured toand projecting rearwardly from the rear end of the base plate l5, and isprovided with a laterally extending portion 36 which extends across therear end of said base plate and is curved to conform to the path of thecutter chain. Said laterally extending portion is also curved upwardlyfrom the bottom of said base plate to the plane of the receiving portionof the conveyer ID, for elevating and guiding the cuttings onto the sideof the conveyer which extends across the rear end of the machine. Saiddeflecting member also has a rearwardly extending curved uprightdeflecting wall 31 leading from a troughlike bottom portion 38 of saiddeflector. Said deflecting wall extends from the advance side of themachine rearwardly inwardly towards the center thereof along one side orend of the conveyer l0, depending upon the position of said conveyer,and with said trough-like bottom portion is arranged to elevate anddeflect the cuttings onto the receiving end of said conveyer when saidconveyer is in either a longitudinal or laterally extended position withrespect to the machine.

The detachable connection from said conveyer,

frame 29 to the rear end of the machine, to permit said conveyer frameto be connected'in cuttings receiving relation with respect. to saiddeflector when extending rearwardly or laterally of the machine,includes an angle 39, one leg of which may be secured to a rear endportion of the rear wall 31, and the other leg of which may extendrearwardly from said rear Wall and be secured to a side Wall 40 of saidconveyer frame in a suitable manner, as by nuts and bolts. The otherside of said conveyer may be attached to the retreating rear end of themachine by means of a connecting member 43, connected to an ear 44projecting laterally from the frame of the mining machine. Saidconnecting member is secured to a front end wall (not shown) of saidconveyer frame by means of suitable nuts and bolts. 7

When it is desired that the conveyer extend laterally with respect tothe machine, to permit operation in places where the props are postedclose to the working face, a connecting strap is substituted for theangle 39 and is connected between the side wall 40 and the rear endportion of the wall 31 of the deflecting member 35. The connectingmember 43 is connected between the ear 44 and the side wall of theconveyer opposite from the strap 45 (see Figure 3). Said conveyer is solocated with respect to said deflecting member that the cuttings will bedeflected thereto when extended laterally or longitudinally rearwardlyfrom the machine, the top surface thereof being on a level with thebottom deflecting surface of said cuttings deflecting member.

A cuttings channel generally indicated by reference character 41 extendsalong the advance side of the cutter bar on the top side of the baseplate I 5 and leads to the portion 38 of the deflector 35. Said cuttingschannel includes a member 48 of a U-shaped formation having sidesinclined ure 4).

member extends along the advance side of the machine along one side wallthereof, and is spaced laterally from the member 48 a distancesufficient to provide a substantially V-shaped channel leading to therear end of the machine and terminating into the trough-like bottomportion 38 of the deflector 35 and the laterally extending portion 38 ofsaid deflector. Thus, when the machine is cutting across a coal face,the cuttings discharged by the cutter chain are propelled by the cutterchain along the channel 41 formed by the inclined members 48 and 49 tothe trough-like portion 38 and upwardly along the curved deflectingsurfaces of the deflecting member 35 onto the receiving end of theelongated frame 29 of the conveyer, when said conveyer extendslongitudinally or rearwardly of the machine.

Referring now in particular to the improved form of drive from themining machine motor I 8 to the slack removing conveyer ID, thelongitudinal shaft 2|, as herein shown, is provided with a rearwardextension 50, having spaced bearings 5i and 52 thereon and carriedwithin opposite ends of a housing member 53, projecting rearwardly fromthe rear portion of the machine frame and adjustably movable about theaxis of said shaft on said bearings. A sleeve 54, having a bevel gear 55keyed thereto, is journaled on said shaft and is adapted to beselectively connected thereto by means of a suitable clutch, hereinshown as being a usual form of jaw clutch 51. Said clutch includes aclutch collar 58, feathered on said extension of said shaft and havingclutch jaws 59 on one face thereof, adapted to be selectively engagedwith clutch jaws 60 on the sleeve 54. Said clutch is operated by asuitable shifting mechanism of a well known form and construction andnot herein shown or described in detail since it is no part of mypresent invention.

The bevel gear 55 meshes with and drives a bevel gear 63, journaled onits hub in a wall 64 of the housing 53. As herein shown, a bevel pinion65 on the end of a shaft 56, keyed to the hub of said bevel gear, mesheswith and drives a bevel gear 61 keyed to a longitudinally extendingshaft 69. Said last mentioned bevel gear The: housing and turning frame"it has an l inner flanged portionJiS'. which isguideddn an annular.guide-'16 formed inthe housing 53, and. said .flanged; portion isretainedin/said guide by means' of :a .split annularz ring. if; .so saidhous ings. mayzcb adjustably. moved :with. respect to the cdrive ishaft.2 l about I. perpendicular .axes.-- Whennthe conveyor. is .positionedtoextend rears! ward1y.;of..thezframei2, the' housing .53: is .piv-.:'oted;.about.. the. axis .of the I. shaft '2 l, to dispose.

the housing .18 towards. the;advan'ce sideofitheng machine, as inFigures: 1 ands; .andwhenuthe conveyor is positioned. to. extendlaterally. from the machine, the housing 53.1 .turned aboutlthe shaft 21to. an upright. position, the .housing 163':

beingzpositioned at an; angle theretoabout Ca 5 verticalxaxis, as showninFigure 9, .sothat. the... convey-er may .be' driven from..the. motor.it in any., desired .position of ..horizontal. .adi ustment, withrespect thereto.

Thedrive from. the extensible shaft '13. to the conveyeris shown indetail in Figure. 7 andincludes a universal. couplingJlQ having.driving... connection withthe forward end of. a longitudi-. nallyextending shaft 88 journaled in a framefi l.':

Said: frameis provided .withan. annularflanged inner p t n 8 guidedWithinan. annularguide formed in a membert l, WhiChiS secured toani.

outer sidewall id of. the frame 29.1.and. projects :1outwardlytherefrom. An. annulapringtifi. is pro.-

videdito retain said. frame in said annularguidec-qo so said'frame. maymove about .the...axis .of ;a conveyer; drive shaft. 36 journaledtherein... A2.

bevel pinion. Bl keyed on thetshafttil. meshes... withand drives. abevel gear 88 Unsaid conveyer'..l drive shaft. 85-. Said driveshaf-t hasthe usual sprockets 89, 89 mounted thereonfwhioh. mesh with and drive.the conveyor chains 32, 32 andflights 33, 33 along theelongated frame29. H

While I have herein shown and described one form 'in which my inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that theconstructionthere I ofand-the arrangement of the various parts may i be altered withoutdeparting from'thespirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish.tobe construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodimentillustrated, excepting as it maybe limited in the appended claims,

I claim as my invention: I

1. In a kerf-cutting machin'eoi the room and pillar type, a frame havinga cuttings passagewayextending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutterchain guided formovement about said cutter bar and about a drive sprocket at the rearend or said frame, said-cuttings passageway ter-" minating into adeflecting member having .a pore. tion extending across the rear end. ofsaid .pas-J sageway and another portion extending rear-.. wardlybeyondthe rear end of the machine adjacent the advance. side thereof,the inne mar-v 1y fromtherear end of the machineand -to;ex-.-

tend-Within said recessed portion of said deflect ing--memberin-cuttingsreceiving relation with respect-thereto when in either arearwardly or L laterally extended position;

2. In a ker-fecutting machine of the roomand 'pillan type,l.-a framehaving a cuttingspassage-r way extending therethrough, a cutter bar pro.I jecting :from .and .extending within-said frame andca :cutter chainguided lfor:movement about saidzcutterlbarrand abouta drive sprocket atthe reariend. ofisaidirame; saidlcuttings.passageway.

terminatingcintoaa deflectingmember having a portiorrvextending acrossthe rear end of said passageway; and another: portion.- extendingrear..-. wardlyz. beyond .the' I rearl end of .the. machine ad- Ijacentsthe advance sidethereof, th inner mare gins.'.of -said portions.forming a substantially rectangu'larsrecessed. portion. at. the .reanofsaid .cut-- tings: 1passageway, a outtingeremoving conveyor adaptedtoextendlatera'lly of or rearwardly from theirearrend of thezmachine andto extendwithin said:recessed portion of said deflectingmember,-:.in:icuttingsireoeiving. relation with respecttheretowhenineither a rearwardly. or laterally extended. position;means. forxdetachably cone. necting'one'portionxof saidlconveyer tothe..rear.. portion 10f .tsaidrearwardl extending portion .of. saiddeflectin-gimember, and other. means for de:. tacha'bly connecting.another. portion ofsaidconveyer to, the rear. endv of the machine, for.ho-ld-. inggsaidconveyer in cuttings receiving relation. with respect.to. said deflecting .member when in. a longitudinal or laterallyextended ositionwith respect to said. frame.

3 ;-Ina kerf-cutting machine. of the;room rand. pillantype, aframe-havinga cuttings passageway extending lthe'rethrougn. a cutter.bar pro.- jectinggfrom andextendingzwithin said frame and -a cutterchainguided.tforniovementaboutv said rcutterubaruand about. a drivesprocket at the rearrend of said frame, said cuttings passage Waybeingof .a trough-like formation and extend.-. ing: beneath and alongthe advance. side of said cutter-:barand having said cutter chain moveable. along the bottom thereof, to progress .the cuttingsmearwardlytherealong, said passageway terminating into a deflecting member havingaportion extending. rearwardly: fromithe advance side: of the machine.and another portion extendingacross the rear. end of. said cuttingspassageway,; and a cuttings removing. conveyor. adapted to be connectedto the machine in .cuttingsqreceivingrelation with respect to both poretionsof-said deflecting member, so said deflect.- ingmembeuwill depositmaterial on two sides. of said:conveyer.

4. In-a, kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, including aframe having a cuttings. passageway extending therethrough, a cutterbar: projecting from and extending within said frame and a cutter chainguided for movement about said cutter bar and about a drive sprocket atthe rear end of said frame, said cuttings passageway being of atrough-like formation and extending beneath and along the advance sideof said-cutter bar and having said cutterchain. movable-along the bottomthereof, to progress thewcuttings rearwardly therealong, said. pass.sagevvayeterminating into a deflecting member having a portion extendingrearwardly from. the advanceside of the, machine and another. portionextending across the rear end. of .said cutetingspassageway, and acuttingsremoving con,-; veyer adapted to' be detachablyconnected toithe.H machine to extendrearwardly from.the rear :end. 1

thereof or laterally beyond the retreating side thereof in cuttingsreceiving relation with respect to both portions of said deflectingmember, 50 said deflecting member will deposit material onto two sidesof said conveyer when in either a rearwardly or laterally extendedposition with respect thereto.

5. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a frame havinga cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutter chain guided formovement about said cutter bar and about a drive sprocket at the rearend of said frame, said cuttings passageway being of a trough-likeformation and extending beneath and along the advance side of saidcutter bar and having said cutter chain movable along the bottomthereof, to progress the cuttings rearwardly therealong, said passagewayterminating into a deflecting member having a portion extendingrearwardly from the advance side of the machine and another portionextending across the rear end of said cuttings passageway, a cuttingsremoving conveyer including a relatively horizontal receiving portionand an inclined discharge portion, and means for de tachably connectingthe receiving portion of said conveyer to said kerf-cutting machine soit may be positioned to extend longitudinally rearwardly of or laterallyfrom said cuttings passageway and be in cuttings receiving relation withrespect to both portions of said deflector, when in either of thesepositions.

6. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a frame havinga cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutter chain guided formovement about said cutter bar and about a drive sprocket at the rearend of said frame, said cuttings passageway being of a trough-likeformation and extending beneath and along the advance side of saidcutter bar and having said cutter chain movable along the bottomthereof, to progress the cuttings rearwardly therealong, said passagewayterminating into a deflecting member having a portion extendingrearwardly from the advance side of the machine and another portionextending across the rear end of said outtings passageway, a cuttingsremoving conveyer including a relatviely horizontal receiving portionand an inclined discharge portion, and means for detachably connectingthe receiving portion of said conveyor to said kerf-cutting machine soit may be positioned to extend longitudinally rearwardly of or laterallyfrom said cuttings passageway and be in cuttings receiving relation withrespect to both portions of said deflector, when in either of thesepositions, including means for connecting one portion of said conveyerwith the rear end of said rearwardly extending portion of saiddeflector, and other means for connecting another portion of saidconveyer with said cutting machine.

7. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a frame havinga cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutter chain guided fororbital movement about said cutter bar, a sprocket at the rear end ofsaid frame for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, acuttings removing conveyer adapted to be connected to said kerf-cuttingmachine to extend longitudinally rearwardly of or laterally from therear end of said machine,

said conveyer including an inclined frame having a transverselyextending drive shaft at the rear end thereof, and means driven by themotor of said machine for driving said shaft when said conveyer is ineither a longitudinally or laterally extended position with respect tosaid machine including a longitudinally extending shaft journaled in theframe of said machine and driven from the motor thereof, a housing onsaid shaft and adjustable about the axis thereof, another housingmounted on said housing for adjustable movement about an axisperpendicular to the axis of said longitudinal shaft, a shaft journaledin said second housing for rotation about an axis r parallel to the axisof rotation of said longitudinal shaft, geared drive connections in saidhousings for driving said second shaft from said 1ongitudinal shaft inall positions of said housings with respect to each other, and auniversal extensible drive connection between said second shaft and saidtransverse shaft.

8. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a frame havinga, cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutter chain guided fororbital movement about said cutter bar, a sprocket at the rear end ofsaid frame for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, acuttings removing conveyer adapted to be connected to said kerf-cuttingmachine to extend longitudinally rearwardly of or laterally from therear end of said machine and including an inclined frame having atransversely extending drive shaft at the rear end thereof, and meansdriven by the motor of said machine for driving said conveyer when ineither a longitudinally or laterally extended position with respect tosaid machine including a longitudinally extending shaft journaled insaid machine and driven from the motor thereof, a housing adjustableabout the axis of said shaft, another housing mounted on said housingfor pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of saidlongitudinal shaft, a shaft journaled in said second housing androtatable about an axis parallel to the axis of said longitudinal shaft,geared drive connections in said housings for driving said second shaftfrom said first shaft in all positions of adjustment of said housingswith respect to each other, and a universal extensible drive connectionbetween said second shaft and said transverse conveyer drive shaft, saiduniversal extensible drive connection including a housing mounted onsaid conveyer frame for movement about an axis coaxial with saidtransverse shaft and bevel gearing carried by said housing andconnecting said extensible drive connection with said transverse shaft.

9. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a frame havinga cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter bar projectingfrom and extending within said frame and a cutter chain guided fororbital movement about said cutter bar, a. sprocket adjacent the rearend of said frame, for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar,a cuttings removing conveyer adapted to be connected to the rear end ofsaid frame, to carry away the cuttings discharged through saidpassageway, said cuttings passageway including a cuttings channel of atroughlike formation extending along the bottom of said frame and Withinwhich certain bits of the cutter chain extend, said channel being closeto said cutter bar and curving at the rear end of said frame to conformto the path of the cutter chain as it passes around said sprocket, andleading into a deflecting member having one portion extending beyond therear end of the machine adjacent the advance side thereof for deflectingthe cuttings onto one side of said conveyer and having another portionextending across the rear end of said passageway in advance of saidconveyer, for deflecting the cuttings onto another side of saidconveyer.

10. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a framehaving a cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter barprojecting from and extending within said frame and a cutter chainguided for orbital movement about said cutter bar, a sprocket adjacentthe rear end of said frame for driving said cutter chain about saidcutter bar, a cuttings removing conveyer adapted to be connected to therear end of said frame, to carry away the cuttings discharged throughsaid passageway, said cuttings passageway including a cuttings channelof a troughlike formation extending along the bottom of said frame andWithin which certain bits of the cutter chain extend, said channel beingclose to said cutter bar and curving at the rear end of said frame toconform to the path of the cutter chain as said cutter chain passesaround said sprocket, and said cuttings channel leading into adeflecting member arranged to deflect the cuttings onto two sides ofsaid conveyer and having a portion extending along one side of saidconveyer beyond the rear end of the machine adjacent the advance sidethereof and having another portion forming a gradually inclined rearwall of said channel and extending across the rear end of said frame inadvance of said conveyer, for elevating the cuttings onto said conveyer.

11. In a kerf-cutting machine of the room and pillar type, a framehaving a cuttings passageway extending therethrough, a cutter barprojecting from and extending within said frame and a cutter chainguided for. movement about said cutter bar, a cutter chain drivesprocket adjacent the rear end of said frame, said cuttings passagewayincluding a cuttings channel of a trough-like formation extending alongthe bottom of said frame and within which certain bits of the cutterchain extend, said channel being close to said cutter bar and conformingto the path of said cutter chain as it passes around said sprocket andleading into a deflecting member having a vertically extending wallportion extending rearwardly from the advance side of the machine andanother portion extending across the rear end of said cuttingspassageway and having a portion forming a gradually inclined rear wallof said channel, to permit the cuttings to be propelled therealong andelevated thereby over the top of said deflector, and a cuttings removingconveyer adapted to be connected to the machine in cuttings receivingrelation with respect to both portions of said deflecting member, sosaid deflecting member will deposit material onto two sides of saidconveyer.

EDWARD J. DOBERSTEIN.

